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More funding announced for Ararat Arts Precinct

Minister for Regional Development Jaala Pulford has today announced that a further $1.5 million would be provided for the Ararat Arts Precinct project, to go on top of the existing $5.2 million investment from the State Government.

The news coincides with the announcement that Nicholsons had been selected as the building firm responsible for building the precinct.

Ms Pulford today met with Ararat Rural City Council Mayor, Paul Hooper, and confirmed that the $7.73 million project would create 19 construction jobs and five full time jobs once complete.

Ararat’s historic Town Hall will be redeveloped, enhancing the Ararat Performing Arts Centre (APAC) and the Ararat Regional Art Gallery (ARAG), both housed in the building.

The project includes:

A new public entrance to the Ararat Regional Art Gallery

Expanding and enhancing art gallery and performance spaces

Upgrading public amenities

Upgrading the Ararat Performing Arts Centre foyer and a new box office

A new café and bar

Landscaping upgrades.

All existing spaces will be refurbished to make them accessible for people of all abilities. New glazing, insulation and climate controls will be installed to maximise building efficiency, and improvements will be undertaken to the loading bay, car parks and driveways.

The enhanced facilities, along with expanded display and storage spaces, will further Ararat’s reputation as a cultural tourism destination, capable of developing and attracting ambitious, blockbuster programs.

Construction will begin this month and is anticipated to be completed by mid-2018.